January 2014 Outcrop

Page 1

OUTCROP Newsletter of the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists

Volume 63 • No. 1 • January 2014


Ideas and Innovation – Fuel for the Energy Capital

6–9 April » Houston, Texas » George R. Brown Convention Center

Registration opens in January Look for the Technical Program and Registration Announcement with the January issue of AAPG Explorer magazine.

Organized by

AAPG.org/ACE Vol. 63, No. 1

2

Hosted by

January 2014


OUTCROP

The Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists 910 16th Street • Suite 1214 • Denver, CO 80202 • 303-476-2241 The Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists (RMAG) is a nonprofit organization whose purposes are to promote interest in geology and allied sciences and their practical application, to foster scientific research and to encourage fellowship and cooperation among its members. The Outcrop is a monthly publication of the RMAG.

2014 Officers and Board of Directors RMAG Staff

Executive Director Emily Tompkins etompkins@rmag.org Office & Programs Manager Carrie Veatch, MA cveatch@rmag.org Accountant Carol Dalton cdalton@rmag.org

Co-Editors

Kristine Peterson k.peterson@laramidegeo.com Holly Sell holly.sell@yahoo.com

President – Matt Silverman MSilverman@bayless-cos.com

Treasurer – Reed Johnson rdjohnson@resoluteenergy.com

President-Elect – Marv Brittenham, brittmh@aol.com

Treasurer Elect – Paul Lillis plillis@usgs.gov

Secretary – John South j.south@fronterrageo.com

OUTCROP ADVERTISING RATES Ad Size

Cheryl Whitney c.whitney@laramidegeo.com

Design/Production

Wednesday Noon Luncheon Reservations

RMAG Office: 303-573-8621 Fax: 303-476-2241 staff@rmag.org www.rmag.org

Counselor (1 Year) – Terri Olson Terri_Olson@eogresources.com

2nd Vice-President – Michelle Bishop mbishop@indra.com

Catherine Campbell ccampbell@bayless-cos.com

Debbie Downs debradowns@att.net

Counselor (2 Year) – Laura L. Wray laura.wray@wpxenergy.com

1st Vice-President – Michael Dolan mdolan@digforenergy.com

Cost Per Insertion 1 Time

2 Times (each)

6 Times (each)

12 Times (each)

Full page

$330

$310

$285

$270

2/3 page

$220

$200

$185

$185

1/2 page

$175

$165

$155

$145

1/3 page

$165

$125

$115

$100

1/6 page

$75

$60

$55

$50

Business Card

$17

$17

$14

$12

Advertising rates apply to either black and white or color ads. Submit color ads in RGB color to be compatible with web format.

ADVERTISING

Borders are recommended for advertisements that comprise less than one half page. Digital files must be PC compatible submitted in png, jpg, tif, pdf or eps formats at a minimum of 300 dpi. If you have any questions, please call the RMAG office at 303-573-8621.

HELPFUL HINTS

Ad copy, signed contract and payment must be received before advertising insertion. Contact the RMAG office for details.

PROFESSIONAL CARDS Will be actual size. Both black and white, and color art will be accepted. If you are submitting digital files, please save in PC format. Please submit png, jpg, eps, pdf or tif files for ads, artwork or photos at a minimum of 300 dpi. When saving pdf files, export at the highest quality available. An advertising agreement will be sent to you.

OUTCROP

DEADLINES: ad submissions are the 1st of every month for the following month's publication. The Outcrop is a monthly publication of the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists 910 16th Street, Suite 1125• Denver, CO 80202

3

www.rmag.org


RMAG November Board of Directors Meeting

By Jacinda Nettik Brown, Secretary (jacinda@caerusoilandgas.com) The Board of Directors meeting The staf f repor ted that was held on November 20, 2013 members had significant I wish everyone a happy and at the second floor conference problems voting on the RMAG room of RMAG office building. website. Hopefully, you were prosperous 2014. I look Two guests were present at this successful in placing your vote for forward to seeing you all at month’s meeting. John Robinson the 2014 RMAG board members reviewed the recommendation of on the web or by mail. RMAG’s 2014 events. Don’t the Long Term Planning Committee The Continuing Education forget to renew your RMAG and Jim Huck reported on the Committee is currently seeking RMAG Foundation. Please note abstracts for April’s Geosteering membership this year if you the RMAG Foundation is currently Forum. This forum will examine haven’t done so already. looking for a new chair. advanced geosteering techniques This was a lengthy meeting; and applications in horizontal however, there were no motions wells among geoscientists and that came up for vote other than approval of last month’s engineers. They are seeking topics that include case minutes. The Sponsorship Committee reported that the histories, software applications, downhole tools and Summit Sponsorship is offering an exclusive luncheon techniques, well planning, stratigraphic interpretation, sponsor next year. If this sounds like something your dealing with hazards, and much more. Please think company would be interested in, please contact the about presenting. RMAG Staff. I wish everyone a happy and prosperous 2014. I look forward to seeing you all at RMAG’s 2014 events. Don’t forget to renew your RMAG membership this year if you haven’t done so already.

»

Get More

from

your

Core

With reservoirs becoming increasingly complex, you need the most accurate information you can get to better understand your reservoir. Weatherford Labs helps you get more from your core by combining an unsurpassed global team of geoscientists, engineers, technicians and researchers with the industry’s most comprehensive, integrated laboratory services worldwide. From core analysis, sorption, geochemistry and isotopic composition to detailed basin modeling and comprehensive data packages, we provide you with real reservoir SPDL BOE çVJE JOGPSNBUJPO UIBU IBTOnU CFFO EJTUJMMFE CZ B TJNVMBUPS PS JUFSBUFE by software. We call it “The Ground Truth™” – giving you the accurate answers you need for better reservoir understanding. You’ll call it a better return on your reservoir investment. To learn more, contact TheGroundTruth@weatherfordlabs.com.

weatherfordlabs.com

YOUR AD HERE

(Professional Card Ad Size)

Only $144.00 per year

© 2013 Weatherford. All rights reserved. Incorporates proprietary and patented Weatherford technology.

Vol. 63, No. 1

4

January 2014


OUTCROP Newsletter of the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists

CONTENTS Features

8 Lead Story: A Regional Organization for Anyone Interested in Paleontology 13 Announcement of Legislative Reception February 27, 2014 15 Volunteer Needed for Executive Editor of The Mountain Geologist Publication 15 The Mountain Geologist needs TWO more ASSISTANT EDITORS 20 The Mountain Geologist Goes All-Digital Beginning in 2014 22 Mineral of the Month: January 23 New Winter Reading 26 Call for Papers! 2014 Rocky Mountain Section-AAPG Annual Meeting 30 Cracking The Source Call for Papers!

association news

7 RMAG Publication: Oil & Gas Fields of Colorado Sponsors Needed 10 The Mountain Geologist Best Paper Award for 2013

11 "20/20 3D Vision:" 3D Seismic Symposium Set for February 14th, 2014 14 20th Annual 3D Seismic Symposium 20/20 3D Vision 15 Congratulations to the 2014 Board Members! 25 Pre-Sale Form: Studies in Geology 65 28 RMAG/PTTC Geosteering Forum Call for Abstracts 32 RMAG/PTTC Geosteering COVER PHOTO Forum Speaker Commitment Travertine mound rising to a height of about Form 10 feet (3 m) in the downtown area of Pagosa 34 RMAG/DAPL GeoLand Ski Day Springs on the south side of the San Juan River at the edge of the parking lot of the 2014 Registration Form Springs Resort. The springs typically range in temperature from 54 to 58 degC, contain 36 We want you back! between 3,000 and 3,300 mg/l of dissolved We need you! solids, and are of the sodium-sulfate type. The town of Pagosa Springs uses hot water from 37 2014 RMAG Dues Renewal a well to supply the only district geothermal 39 Authors and Editors Needed: heating system currently operating in Colorado. Photo by Paul Morgon, Colorado RMAG Oil & Gas Fields of Geologic Survey. Colorado 40 Connect with RMAG Online! 41 RMAG 2013 Summit Sponsors 43 Submit a Manuscript to The 16 RMAG Luncheon Programs Mountain Geologist 31 Check it out! 40 New Members epartments 42 In the Pipeline 4 RMAG November Board 45 Advertisers Index of Directors Meeting 45 Calendar of Events 6 President's Column

D

Volume 63 • No. 1 • January 2014

OUTCROP

5

www.rmag.org


President’s Column By Matt Silverman

Gratitude It’s the week of Thanksgiving as I write this, so a full expression of gratitude is timely. Thank you for the honor of serving as the RMAG President for 2014. I know that many of you exercised sound judgment last year and voted for my wise and winsome opponent, Connie Knight. Thanks to Connie for her continuing and enthusiastic involvement in our RMAG. I’m grateful for the opportunity I had to serve with the dedicated 2013 Board: Debra Higley-Feldman, Larry Rasmussen, Laura Mauro Johnson, Jacinda Nettik Brown, Mike Kozimko, Reed Johnson, John Ladd and Laura Wray. No fights, filibusters or furloughs. I note the high likelihood that last year’s Board was the first in RMAG history to have two of its members give birth to a child during their terms in office. Congratulations to Jacinda Nettik Brown and Laura Mauro Johnson on a feat of multitasking no man can match. Misery loves company, so I’m thrilled to introduce the 2014 Board: President-Elect Marv Brittenham, First VP Michael Dolan, Second VP Michele Bishop, Secretary John South, Treasurer-Elect Paul Lillis, and Counselor Terri Olson. Welcome aboard, and thanks also to your worthy opponents, each of whom will be given plenty of other chances to serve RMAG this year. We are blessed with an extraordinary professional staff: Executive Director Emily Tompkins, Office and Programs Manager Carrie Veatch and our Accountant Carol Dalton. If

»

Vol. 63, No. 1

you haven’t met them yet, do yourself a favor and say hi. The office has moved to Suite 1214 in the University Building; come see the new space. Volunteers and committee chairs/members, including our luncheon and symposium speakers and field trip leaders, are the lifeblood of the organization. Thanks to all of you. Anyone who would like to be more involved with RMAG, contact me, the staff or any of the other Board members listed above. Our generous sponsors, especially those in the Summit Sponsor program, deserve your support and appreciation. These are difficult times financially for RMAG (more about this next month), and the Summit Sponsors make many of our programs, publications and services possible. This will be a great year, the first half highlighted by the 3D Symposium in February, our annual ski trip in March, a Geosteering Forum (our Spring Symposium) in May and the AAPG Rocky Mountain Section meeting in July. Sign up early. It will also be a challenging year for the oil and gas industry, especially in Colorado, where a statewide referendum to halt hydraulic fracturing is anticipated. With that and other concerns in mind, our Public Issues Committee is gearing up to provide a range of resources to help members inform themselves (and others!) about this. Look for details about a Legislative Reception on February 27 soon. Happy 2014.

6

January 2014


OUTCROP

7

www.rmag.org


LEAD STORY – About the Western Interior Paleontological Society

A Regional Organization for Anyone Interested in Paleontology By Steve Miller, WIPS President, 2013

The Western Interior Paleontological Society (WIPS) is a Colorado-based nonprofit organization that promotes scientific and educational activities in the area of paleontology. WIPS was formed in 1985 by a group of paleontology enthusiasts who wanted to create a truly regional organization as the name suggests. Today, WIPS membership includes professional, academic, and avocational paleontologists. Over 500 individuals and institutions are on the membership roll, and many of them are active participants in the paleontological pursuits that WIPS offers. Some WIPS members are actively involved with the Denver Museum of Nature & Science and many of these members are also museum-certified in paleontology. Some museum staff are also WIPS members. WIPS members work with schools, donating collections of fossils to boost scientific instruction with hands-on material, and some teachers also belong to WIPS. WIPS outreach activities are generally educational; with fossil displays and informative literature. WIPS develops and offers about a dozen field trips annually. Field trip leaders take members to a many different places across the western interior. Field trips vary in activity from casual collecting, to survey and some even provide and support research opportunities. This kind of variety enables WIPS to appeal to a spectrum of paleontological interests. For many years, some WIPS field trip leaders have

established cooperative relationships with the BLM and the USDA Forest Service. In each of these years, WIPS has drawn special use permits and established formal repository arrangements for the curating of scientifically important specimens. WIPS takes the same thoughtful approach for trips on private land, too. WIPS members have visited an area northeast of Pueblo for over 20 years, and have made some significant discoveries there regarding the lives of mosasaurs and the identification of a new crustacean. Volunteers from WIPS have been working to catalog the fossil collection at the Colorado School of Mines.

#BLLFO 5ISFF 'PSLT /JPCSBSB &BHMFGPSE (SBOJUF 8BTI 8PPECJOF 1FSNJBO )BZOFTWJMMF #BSOFUU 8PPEGPSE FUD

For Independents and Small Companies • •

JLog® Petrophysical Software Consulting and Training

Jack Bowler – Bowler Petrophysics, Inc. 303 860 1641 www.jlog.biz jack@bowler-petrophysics.com Vol. 63, No. 1

8

January 2014


Lead Story For years, they have opened, reviewed and documented many fossil specimens including some collected by Arthur Lakes. This work is anticipated to continue for a few more years as the number of specimens to be cataloged are in the tens of thousands. WIPS always has a table at the Denver Gem and Mineral Show with activities for kids (and information for adults) promoting paleontology. In October, members took part in public education and outreach with the Friends of Dinosaur Ridge. To celebrate the National Park Service event National Fossil Day this year, WIPS presented a display, hands-on activities, and talked fossils with visitors at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. WIPS also reached a largely professional and academic audience through participation in the 125th Annual Conference of the Geological Society of America in Denver. In addition to attending the meeting, WIPS led a field trip for that event to southeastern Colorado. WIPS is a GSA Associated Society. Every two years, WIPS organizes and presents the Founders Symposium. The Founders Symposium typically

OUTCROP

runs for a weekend. This two-day event is a celebration of paleontology that features the work of scientists, artists, professionals, amateurs, and academics through scheduled talks and large array of tables, booths, and displays. Symposium-goers can purchase art, and learn from interesting (and some very obscure) stories, gather paleontological information from various other groups and government agencies, and more. Founders Symposiums' themes have included Ice Continued on page 10 Âť

9

www.rmag.org


Lead Story

Continued from page 9

Worlds and Their Fossils, Paleoclimates, Extinctions, and the Eocene/ Oligocene. The next Founders Symposium will take place in 2015. With funds collected from the Founders Symposium, other activities and donations, WIPS awards cash grants and scholarships to paleontologists and researchers in related fields. Grant and scholarship recipient projects have included research on the teeth of Pennsylvanian age sharks, work to determine the age of mammals from sediments deposited around the time of the Cretaceous/Paleogene boundary, and surveys of Garden Park focused on palynology and other microfossils in bone-bearing sediments. Within WIPS, some members have formed an invertebrate study group. Other members, whose interests include geology as much as paleontology gather occasionally to scout new locations for field trips. And WIPS is not just fun for adults, there is also a Kids' Club. This group is active and engaged. The young people are busy with field trips and hands-on topics that teach paleontology. From January through May and September through November each year, WIPS regular meetings feature speakers on wide-ranging topics of paleontology. Field season generally runs from May through September. Look up the next meeting of WIPS on the website at westernpaleo.org. Whether you are only slightly interested in paleontology, or if your interests are deep and long-running, you are sure to find a place in WIPS. WIPS is always open for new members. Join WIPS and bring your passion to promote scientific and educational activities in the area of paleontology.

»

The Mountain Geologist Best Paper Award for 2013 The RMAG is pleased to announce the winner of The Mountain Geologist Best Paper Award for 2013. The winning paper is “4D Petroleum System Model of the Mississippian System in the Anadarko Basin Province, Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, and Colorado, U.S.A.” by Debra K. Higley. This extremely well written and illustrated paper presents the results of 4D petroleum system modeling of the Upper Devonian and Lower Mississippian Woodford Shale, an important petroleum source rock for Mississippian reservoirs in the Anadarko Basin of Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, and Colorado. The study incorporates thermal maturity, thickness, and fault data to reconstruct burial histories, timing of petroleum generation, and migration flowpaths. The model presented in this study greatly contributed to the understanding of the petroleum geology, and the UGSG assessment of undiscovered resources in Anadarko Basin Province. Many excellent papers were submitted this year making selecting one winner a very difficult job. In reality, all of the papers are winners, and we would like to thank all of the authors for publishing their outstanding work. Congratulations to Debra. The Best Paper Selection Committee Vol. 63, No. 1

10

Geochemistry for Energy Breaking News: COGCC Rule 609 requires Baseline Water Quality Monitoring.

ŽīĞƌƐ stable isotope analysis of dissolved hydrocarbons in water samples. Our Services:

Stable Isotope Lab ŽŶƐƵůƟŶŐ ^ĞƌǀŝĐĞƐ Basin Studies

Learn More digforenergy.com 303.531.2030 January 2014


“20/20 3D Vision:” 3D Seismic Symposium Set for February 14th, 2014 By Steve Jensen, sajensen11@gmail.com Preview: 20th Annual 3D Seismic Symposium Friday, February 14th, 2014 Sheraton Downtown Hotel Denver, Colorado The 20 th Annual 3D Seismic Symposium, jointly sponsored by the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists and the Denver Geophysical Society, will be held Friday, February 14th, 2014 at the Sheraton Downtown Denver Hotel in Denver, Colorado. This is the same venue as last year, with its expanded social and exhibitor space. This year’s symposium is co-chaired by Jim Thorson and Mary Sue Purcell. This is the 20th anniversary of the 3D Seismic Symposium. We are happy that the Geology/Geophysics community in Denver and the Rockies has supported us all these years. Randy Ray, the long-time past CoChair for the 3D Seismic Symposium will give us a short presentation on looking back at 20 years of the 3D Seismic Symposium. The 3D Symposium will highlight 12 presentations, concentrating on case histories in resource plays using large-scale 3D seismic surveys. Case studies include Rocky Mountain projects in the Niobrara, Bakken, and San Juan Basin, along with other analog plays from the US (Marcellus and Eagle Ford), and several from Western Canadian Basins. Attendees to this year’s Symposium will witness the most up-to-date concepts and workflows in our industry, with many of the talks being presented here in public for the first time. Early Registration is currently available by contacting either DGS or RMAG societies or via the 3D Symposium OUTCROP

website www.3dseismicsymposium. com. This year’s Keynote speaker will be Daniel E. Kelly, VP - DJ Basin for Noble Energy. Mr. Kelly will provide an overview of Noble’s significant operations in the DJ Basin and provide examples of the positive impact of 3D seismic on the success of this key Colorado operator. The first presentation of the day will be our Kickoff speaker, Craig Walters, Director – Wattenberg for Anadarko Petroleum. Mr. Walters will share insights into the success of Anadarko’s robust DJ program, illustrate the benefits of 3D seismic, and highlight the importance of being a good community member

in acquiring seismic in congested areas. Steve Natali, Senior Vice President - Exploration for WPX Energy in Denver will give a talk titled “Gallup Sandstone Oil Discovery.” This story involves a multi-disciplined team prospecting for horizontal gas in the San Juan Basin until the price of natural gas dropped. The team quickly switched gears after a significant horizontal oil discovery in a different formation and a different area was found. Four pilot wells plus horizontal were drilled and studied extensively. All four are productive and WPX is engaged in the next phase of commercialization. B i l l G ood way w i t h A p a c h e in Calgary, Canada will present Continued on page 12 »

AS OUR TOUCH GETS LIGHTER…

THE OPPORTUNITIES GROW LARGER.

Our business is about more than exploration and production. It’s about improving the lives of those around us by helping the communities in which we live and work grow and prosper. It’s about providing our employees with opportunities to make positive contributions and constantly challenging ourselves to ffi ind better solutions. It’s about continuously striving to be a better industry partner and leaving behind a legacy of sustainability wherever we can.

Energizing the World, Bettering People’s Lives ®�

www.nobleenergyinc.com

11

www.rmag.org


“20/20 3D Vision:” 3D Seismic Symposium

Continued from page 11

‘Combined Microseismic and 4D to Calibrate and Confirm Surface 3D Azimuthal AVO/LMR Predictions of Completions and Performance and Well Production in the Horn River Gas Shales of North East British Columbia.” To assist in the optimizing stimulation efforts, seismic data and microseismic are used to estimate and map four parameters that influence hydraulic fracture effectiveness: rock properties, in-situ stress, natural fractures and reservoir geometry. Bob Hardage, a professor at the University of Texas at Austin will speak about “Evaluating Unconventional Reservoirs with Low-Cost Multicomponent Seismic Data.” The Exploration Geophysics Laboratory at UT of A has developed a new S-wave technology that should overcome much of the reluctance to utilize S-wave data in unconventional resource plays. This technology is based on the use of direct-S modes produced by verticalforce sources. Jack Wiener with Halliburton Energy Services will present “The Greeley 3D Seismic Survey: One of the Nation’s Largest Urban Surveys Leads to Niobrara Horizontal Activity.” An oil and gas producer based

in Greeley, Colorado put together a plan to acquire subsurface knowledge in the urban area. Halliburton interpreted the data and provided detailed structural analysis and framework modeling of the Niobrara and Codell formations. Angie Southcott with WPX Energy in Denver will talk about “3D Seismic Proves its Value in Bakken Geosteering.” Improved geosteering has been a key driver achieving lower well costs in the Williston Basin. The improvements are in part attributable by using advanced 3D seismic data processing. Using 3D seismic for geosteering requires: 1) resolving the Bakken interval, 2) accurately converting seismic surfaces to depth. Tim Berge with Pangean Resources will present “3D Imaging of Bakken Reservoir Targets, North Dakota." He applies structural attribute methods to a new spec survey to demonstrate how effective full use of 3D seismic data can aid development drilling for these objectives: 1) imaging of natural fractures, 2) estimate fault heave, 3) show stratigraphic details of the Pronghorn sands, 4) predict channel fill, and 5) better well steering to target. Claudia Deunas, a graduate student at the Colorado School of Mines Reservoir Characterization Project will present “Understanding Rock Fabric and Reservoir Quality Index Using Combined Multicomponent Seismic Inversion and Well Log Cluster Q Traditional and Roth IRAs Q College Funding Plans Analysis.” Using multicomponent Q Mutual Funds Q 401(k) and 403(b) Plans seismic data from Pouce Coupe Field, Q Common and Preferred Stocks Q Wealth Management Planning North East British Columbia, she Q Corporate and Municipal Bonds predicts rock fabric of the Monteny For sound recommendations and service you can count on, Shale. The objective is to understand call today. heterogeneity using multi-attribute analysis of wells integrated with ™ There’s Wealth in Our Approach. multicomponent seismic. Tony Rebec with Geokinetics, Inc. in Michael Slishinsky, CRPC Houston will talk about “Risk Reduction Vice President - Financial Advisor for Prospecting in the Unconventional Office: (303) 595-1157 • Toll Free: (800) 234-3703 Niobrara Play.” A methodology is michael.slishinsky@rbc.com • www.michaelslishinsky.com 1200 17th St., Suite 2200 • Denver, CO 80202 presented to reduce risk in identifying sweet spots within the local structural framework using the full azimuth 3D seismic and well logs for calibration. Based on azimuthal 3D seismic data © 2013 RBC Wealth Management, a division of RBC Capital Markets, LLC, Member NYSE/FINRA/SIPC. processed through OVT migration,

Wealth Planning Services

Vol. 63, No. 1

13-DV-1553_4.875x4.875 Create ad.indd 1

12

11/19/13 11:08 AM

January 2014


“20/20 3D Vision:” 3D Seismic Symposium elliptical and pre-stack simultaneous elastic inversion with well to seismic correlation, areas of high potential interest can be differentiated. Reinaldo Michelena with iReservoir, Inc in Denver will present “Leveraging Seismic Technology for Unconventional Reservoirs: From Seismic to Flow Simulation.” He will show how seismic data can help in characterization of matrix and fracture information can be used to constrain flow simulation models. His workflow consists of four steps: 1) facies definition, 2) seismic calibration, 3) geologic modeling, and 4) flow simulation. Data examples from the Rockies and offshore South America will be shown. Ross Peebles with Global Geophysical Services will talk about “Production Focused Seismic for the Development of Unconventional Resources – Insights from the Eagle Ford.” Pre-stack and post-stack attributes are derived from a recent high-resolution full-azimuth long-offset 3D seismic dataset. Structural attributes like curvature and incoherence can highlight faults and factures. Frequency attributes like spectral decomposition can relate porosity, TOC and rock

properties. Azimuthal anisotropy can indicate fractures, stress, and overpressure. Registration is now open through either RMAG or DGS, or via the 3D Symposium website (www.3dseismicsymposium.com). Sign up now and take advantage of the early registration discount. If you are interested in providing corporate sponsorship for this event, please contact Jim Folcik at Jim_Folcik@ eogresources.com for more information.

»

Announcement of Legislative Reception February 27, 2014 RMAG is joining other geologic associations in co-hosting Colorado Section- AIPG 2014 Legislative Reception to be just a few blocks from the Capitol, in the University Club, 1673 Sherman Street, from 5:00 – 7:30 PM. If the previous year’s legislative agenda and this fall’s anti-fracking initiatives are any indication, it should fit in nicely with CO-AIPG’s theme of The Energy Mineral Industries to interface with the key legislative decision makers. Each state legislator has already been sent the Save The Date reminder. CO-AIPG’s lobbyist, Betsy Murray said, “Our previous Legislative Receptions with RMAG (or any of the hosting societies) members personally inviting their legislators has been very favorably received by them.” Ms. Murray advises that it is much more effective in getting Legislators participation if they are encouraged to attend by their constituents – even if only by an email (snail mail still works VERY effectively as well). And that is the whole purpose – to encourage each of us to learn and use the building blocks for better representative

»

OUTCROP

government – let your policy- and decision-makers know what you know and why you know it if you want them to understand your advocacy. To find your legislators, you can use the following website tool: http://www.one-colorado.org/take-action/ contact-your-legislator/, and follow instructions to find out your Zip+4 location. Then transfer the Zip+4 into the appropriate place to find your State Representative & Senator – with phone numbers and email address. Please address them respectfully, or, if not, please don’t say you’re a geologist. Individual ($75), Business or Corporate ($150500) sponsorships are available with appropriate acknowledgement & recognition. For more details please contact Larry Cerrillo, CO-AIPG’s Legislative/Regulatory Committee Chair, P.O. Box 728, Evergreen, CO 804370728; 303-674-6484 (o), 303-921-1612 (c); cerrillo1@ mindspring.com, particularly if you would also like exhibit space.

13

www.rmag.org


20th Annual 3D Seismic Symposium 20/20 3D Vision E

3 D

WAVE

SEISMIC ATTRIBUTE CHARACTERIZATION

Keynote - Daniel E. Kelly, VP - DJ Basin, Noble Energy ย ย ย ย ฦก วฆ ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วฆ ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Speakers - Bob Hardage, Bill Goodway, Steve Natali, and many more ย ย ย ย ย วฆ วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย วก วก ย ย ย ย ย ย Registration, exhibitor, sponsor forms www.3dseismicsymposium.com

Friday, February 14, 2014

Sheraton Downtown Denver Hotel Sponsored by Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists & Denver Geophysical Society

Vol. 63, No. 1

14

January 2014


Volunteer Needed for Executive Editor of The Mountain Geologist Publication

CONGRATULATIONS to the RMAG 2014 Board Members!

The RMAG quarterly publication, The Mountain Geologist, is seeking a Volunteer for the position of Executive Editor. If you have an interest in becoming involved in a solid, peer-reviewed, technical publication with a long history in the Rocky Mountain geologic community, please make an inquiry to Joyce Trygstad Nelson, Executive Editor, at jtpetr@aol.com or (303) 526-2180, or Larry Rasmussen, Publications Committee Chairman, at larryR@whiting.com.

President: President-Elect: First VP: Second VP: Secretary: Treasurer: Treasurer-Elect: Counselor 1st Yr: Counselor 2nd Yr:

Âť

The Mountain Geologist needs TWO more ASSISTANT EDITORS The Mountain Geologist is looking for two additional, volunteer, Assistant Editors to join the present staff. One editor will have some paleontological background. The other editor will focus on reviewing revised manuscripts and galley proofs. Assistant Editors copy edit submitted and revised manuscripts for adherence to The Mountain Geologist’s “Author Style Guide� and for readability. They help in all phases of manuscript publication. Assistant Editor skills include having excellent command of English and earth-science background, and being detail-oriented. Sometimes fast turn-arounds are required. Please contact Joyce Trygstad Nelson, Executive Editor, jtpetr@ aol.com.

Well Site Geological Consulting and

Mudlogging Services ~ Since 1980 ~ ‡ :HOOVLWH *HRORJ\ ‡ 0XG /RJJLQJ ‡ 5HPRWH 2Q VLWH *HRVWHHULQJ ‡ 0DVV 6SHFWURPHWU\

Matt Silverman Marv Brittenham Michael Dolan, Michele Bishop, John South Reed Johnson Paul Lillis Terri Olson Laura Wray

OUR COMMITMENT ‡ 3URYLGH KLJKHVW TXDOLW\ RI JHRORJLFDO ZHOOVLWH VHUYLFHV WR RXU FOLHQWV ‡ 2IIHU UHDO WLPH LQWHUSUHWDWLYH LQWHJUDWHG VHUYLFHV VXFK DV JHRVWHHULQJ ‡ ,QWHJUDWH FRRUGLQDWH ORQJ WHUP UHVRXUFH SODQQLQJ ZLWK FOLHQWV ‡ ,QWHURSHUDWH PRUH ZLWK JHRORJ\ DQG GULOOLQJ RSHUDWLRQV DQG H[SORUDWLRQ WHDPV Info: ZZZ FROXPELQHORJJLQJ FRP

Âť

OUTCROP

15

www.rmag.org


RMAG Luncheon Programs – January 8th

The Unconventional Oil & Gas Revolution: Another Look Under the Hood

By Pete Stark, IHS Senior Research Director and Advisor and Steve Trammel, IHS Research Director and Advisor, January 8, 2014

The “great revival” of U.S. oil production will continue to lead the world in annual supply growth. The unconventional oil and gas revolution is an invaluable engine for job creation – 2.1 million jobs by 2012 – and economic growth, delivering $75 billion in federal and state taxes and $283 billion to US GDP during 2012 alone. .

Unprecedented breakthroughs in liberating production from source rocks and tight reservoirs have stimulated dramatic shifts in oil and gas supplies and market factors. After an extended scramble to secure and evaluate leases, the unconventional revolution is entering a new phase with focus on efficient play development and expansion of supplies. The “shale gale” unlocked a 100 year supply for natural gas. But it also triggered excess production capacity and a collapse of gas prices that have forced massive adjustments across the supply chain. 2014 shapes up as a transformational year as gas markets adjust to abundant low-cost gas and NGL supplies and demand improves along with the economy. The “great revival” of U.S. oil production will continue to lead the world in annual supply growth. The unconventional oil and gas revolution is an invaluable engine for job creation – 2.1 million jobs by 2012 – and economic growth, delivering $75 billion in federal and state taxes and $283 billion to US GDP during 2012 alone. But heightened public concerns about perceived risks from horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing and complacency with “the way things are” undermine our collective ability to maximize the advantage of this huge bonus for U.S. energy. So, for those who do not want shale gas or tight oil we will review what it would be like in the US if the unconventional revolution did not happen.

Luncheon Reservations & Information Luncheon will be held at the Marriott City Center at California and 17th St. Please check the event listing in the lobby for the room. Check-in/walk-in registration begins at 11:30 a.m., lunch is served at 12:00 noon, and the talk begins at 12:20 p.m. The luncheon price is $30.00. To listen only to the talk, walkin price is $10.00. If you make a reservation and do not attend the luncheon, you will be billed for the luncheon. Online registration closes at 4:00 p.m. on the Thursday before the luncheon. Cancellations are not guaranteed after that time.

»

Your attendance is welcomed and encouraged. Bring a guest or new member!

Vol. 63, No. 1

16

Call 303-573-8621, email staff@rmag.org, or register online.

January 2014


RMAG Luncheon Programs

LOCATION we’ll lease it, permit it, gather it and sell it

For those who do want shale gas and tight oil, we also will review some of the significant trends in the evolution of US unconventional plays. The mighty Marcellus has become the “king kong” play for U.S. natural gas - far surpassing even optimistic views from two years ago. The Eagle Ford and Bakken – Three Forks duke it out for leadership in U.S. tight oil. The Eagle Ford has surged into the lead for oil supplies but what is the long term outlook? The Permian smorgasbord is the third leg of the tight oil stool and the combination of Niobrara, Mississippi Lime, Granite Wash (and Oklahoma cousins), Wasatch, Tuscaloosa Marine and Utica comprise the fourth leg that will drive U.S. tight oil production beyond 4 MMb/d by 2020. To connect the dots, U.S. infrastructure is expanding at an unprecedented pace as is investment in energy dependent chemical and manufacturing plants. Looking abroad, international shale gas and tight oil potential rivals that of North America but the road to implementation is challenged by more potholes than pavement. The implications of the unconventional oil and gas revolution are enormous. This discussion will review insights about the opportunities and challenges that will shape the eventual size of the prize for unconventional oil and gas.

your ideas - we make them happen LEASING - PERMITTING - DAMAGES - ROW

303-279-0789

»

Continued on page 18 »

YOUR AD HERE

(Professional Card Ad Size)

Only $144.00 per year OUTCROP

17

www.rmag.org


RMAG Luncheon Programs – February 5th

Ordovician-sourced Oils from the Williston Basin, USA: Where did they come from and where have they gone? By John B. Curtis, Colorado School of Mines and John E. Zumberge, GeoMark Research, Ltd., February 5, 2014

These oils are also characterized by relatively high C19 tricyclic terpane and C24 tetracyclic to C23 tricyclic terpane ratios as well as having the most positive (enriched) stable carbon isotope compositions of oils from the Williston Basin.

Using multivariate statistics, over 350 Williston Basin oils were grouped into families which share common sources based on genetic-specific biomarkers and stable carbon isotope compositions. Ninety (90) Middle Ordovician-sourced oils were identified by their unique n-paraffin distributions (odd over even carbon number preference around n-C17 and n-C19 and greatly diminished isoprenoids) due to the microorganism G. prisca. These oils are also characterized by relatively high C19 tricyclic terpane and C24 tetracyclic to C23 tricyclic terpane ratios as well as having the most positive (enriched) stable carbon isotope compositions of oils from the Williston Basin. Most of these oils were produced from the Ordovician Red River Formation, and source rock evaluation of Red River cores and cuttings (e.g., TOC and Rock-EvalTM data) suggests that the Red River is also the principal source rock unit. Estimates of oil thermal maturity based on biomarkers show that the most mature oils exist within the basin depocenter while the least mature oils are located along the Cedar Creek Anticline. Furthermore, another smaller set of oils (<10) contain G. prisca biomarkers (albeit diminished) but have very negative (depleted) stable carbon isotopic compositions; these oils may have been generated from shales of the Ordovician Winnipeg Group. Finally, a few oils with predominantly Mississippian carbonate biomarkers (i.e., Lodgepole Formation source) appear to have an Ordovician component as revealed by principal component analysis. These oil data and observations have been integrated with mapped source rock occurrence, quality and thermal maturity to yield new insight into the Ordovician petroleum systems of the US portion of the Williston Basin. Âť

Outcrop Deadlines

for the Outcrop advertising is the 1st of the month, the deadline for other content is the 5th of the month. Vol. 63, No. 1

18

January 2014


RMAG Luncheon Program – March 5th

Fluvial megafans in the Uinta Basin, a consequence of extremely bad early Eocene weather?

By Piret Plink-Bjorklund, pplink@mines.edu, Colorado School of Mines

Rivers with distinctly flashy water supply, caused by extreme precipitation, are distinct from perennial rivers in terms of sedimentary structures, barforms and architecture. The figure shows three different types of flashy rivers and how they compare to a perennial system. LFR – lower flow regime; MFR – medium flow regime; UFR- upper flow regime; HDR – high deposition rate. Flashy rivers have a significantly higher proportion of upper flow regime and high deposition rate structures, whereas perennial rivers are dominated by medium flow regime structures and lack high deposition rate structures (a, b, c). Barforms in flashy rivers tend to be simple and thick (c, d). The dominance of the above sedimentary structures indicates upper flow regime deposition and very high deposition rates. The extremely

The early Eocene fluvial system exposed along the southern margin of the Uinta basin has received a considerable amount of attention. The peculiar nature of the fluvial succession of the Wasatch and Green River Formations in the Uinta Basin has led to a number of interpretations, including fluvial channels, and deltaic mouth bars. Not surprisingly, as the fluvial succession is dominated by gradational planar laminations, aggradational low-angle convex-up structures, scour-andfill structures and climbing-ripple laminations, common in mouth bars and turbidites. Moreover, architecturally, the channels are, in many places, amalgamated into thick, sharp-based tabular sandstone intervals, and show a stratigraphic large-scale upward increase in sand content. Thus, these fluvial systems are distinctly different from fluvial facies models. OUTCROP

Continued on page 20 »

19

www.rmag.org


Fluvial megafans in the Uinta Basin, a consequence of extremely bad early Eocene weather?

Continued from page 19

and channel dimensions, indicate deposition in fluvial megafans. Moreover the channel dimensions indicate a large river system, rather than small rivers draining local uplifts. The fluvial megafan systems are highly aggradational and capture large volumes of sediment. Thus, the volumes of siliciclastic sediment that reached the Lake Uinta are considerably smaller than the volumes captured in the megafans. The available absolute age dates, biostratigraphy and out stable isotope record show that the Wasatch and Green River Formation fluvial systems along the southern basin margin are of early Eocene age. Moreover, the data links the fluvial megafan progradation and retrogradation episodes to early Eocene global warming events (the PaleoceneEocene Thermal Maximum, and the six successive Early

high deposition rates are also shown by the dominant downstream accretion of bars, and unit bar thickness of more than 10 m in places. At unit bar bounding surfaces trace fossils and pedogenic modification occurs, showing that the channels were dry for sustained periods at times. High degree of channel amalgamation in the proximal part of the succession indicates high channel avulsion frequency. Further distally and laterally the avulsions are indicated by splay packages. Collectively these features indicate a flashy river system with very high peak discharge, and intermittent sustained droughts. In fact these sediments are more similar to flash flood and megaflood deposits than fluvial facies models developed for perennial systems. The laterally extensive nature of this system across ca 200 km, together with the vertical trends of upward increasing and decreasing sand content

The Mountain Geologist Goes All-Digital Beginning in 2014 February 2014 Dear Past Non-RMAG Member Subscribers to The Mountain Geologist, We are proud to announce that our journal The Mountain Geologist has gone all-digital beginning in 2014, and the printed issues have been discontinued. We look forward to being a paperless journal! Our members went digital in 2013, and only non-member subscribers received print issues in 2013. This means we will no longer be mailing print issues of our journal, and we will no longer be offering subscriptions to The Mountain Geologist. Subscribers to the 2013 volume 50 were notified of the change in October/November, 2013. It will be possible to receive our digital issues for personal use in one of two ways: either by becoming a member of the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists for $41 annually (http://www.rmag.org) which will enable downloading issues from the website, or by pay-per-view from AAPG’s DataPages (http://www.datapages.com). University and corporate subscription options are also available through DataPages. We are currently exploring other subscription options; please let us know directly if you wish to be appraised of developments in this area. Respectfully, Joyce Trygstad Nelson Executive Editor, The Mountain Geologist jtpetr@aol.com

Vol. 63, No. 1

20

Emily Tompkins Executive Director, Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists etompkins@rmag.org

January 2014


Fluvial megafans in the Uinta Basin, a consequence of extremely bad early Eocene weather? Eocene Climatic Optimum events) that caused extreme precipitation with intermittent droughts. Increase in extreme precipitation and development of fluvial megafans was not unique to early Eocene or the Uinta Basin. Such conditions were wide spread during early Eocene, and also occurred during Cretaceous, Jurassic and Triassic greenhouse conditions. Extreme precipitation has also been predicted to increase in anthropogenic global warming conditions by the International Panel of Climate Change. Yet the extreme early Eocene weather was not the only control on formation of the Uinta Basin fluvial

megafans. The uplifted Sevier and Laramide hinterland was also critical in providing the large amounts of sediment and allowing for large discharges, as a function of drainage basin size and gradients.

»

Project Planning | Acquisition | Permitting | Surveying | Safety Compliant | Results All crews utilizing OYO GSX Wireless System and AHV-IV 364 Commander Vibrators or Shothole

www.breckex.com Texas Office • Ph: 254-559-7566 • Fax: 254-559-6337 2301 US Hwy 180 East • P.O. Box 789 • Breckenridge, TX 76424 Denver Office • Ph: 303-563-5301 • Fax: 303.260.6401 600 17th Street, Suite 2800 S • Denver, CO 80202

OUTCROP

21

www.rmag.org


MINERAL OF THE MONTH: January By Cheryl Whitney

Mineral Name: Jacobsite Chemical Composition: MnFe2O4 Color: Black, opaque Streak: Black Luster: Metallic Crystal System: Isotropic (light moves in all directions equally)1 Specific Gravity: 5.1 Hardness: 5.5-6.5 Index of Refraction: 2.3 Locations: Found in Langban, Sweden1, an iron and manganese mining town. These mines are home to many rare arsenate minerals (over 50!) These are minerals which form in constrictive environments, and contain arsenic, oxygen and different metals, many of which are rare)2. Fun Fact: Rare mineral, and magnetic.

….Next Month: Fergusonite Have a mineral you want to see? E-mail c.whitney@laramidegeo.com. 1. Klein, Cornelis, and Cornelius Searle Hurlbut. The 22nd Edition of the Manual of Mineral Science: (after James D. Dana). New York ; Toronto: J. Wiley, 2002. MLA 2. Arsenate mineral". Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 2013. Web. 03 Dec. 2013 <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/36261/arsenate-mineral>. MLA Image from: Lavinsky, Rob. "Jacobsite." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 19 Nov. 2013. Web. 03 Dec. 2013. MLA

Vol. 63, No. 1

22

January 2014


New Winter Reading

Compiled by Kristine Peterson

Hydrofracking: What Everyone Needs to Know

Fluvial Depositional Systems (Springer Geology) By Andrew Miall

By Alex Prud'homme

Springer Cham Heidelberg, 2013, 316 pages $112.46, Amazon.com

Oxford University Press, 2014, 184 pages, $13.38, Amazon.com

“The purpose of this book is to discuss the new methods and the new understanding of fluvial depositional systems with a particular emphasis on those techniques and results that are most useful for subsurface work.” This volume is additional to and not replacement of the author’s 1996 volume.

Written for general readers, covers scientific, economic and political aspects.

Carbonate Reservoirs, Volume 67, Second Edition: Porosity and diagenesis in a sequence stratigraphic framework (Developments in Sedimentology) By Clyde H. Moore and William J. Wade Elsevier, 2013, 374 pages $170.13, Amazon.com This second edition incorporates many new studies that have published since the last edition of 12 years ago.

OUTCROP

23

www.rmag.org


SEE THE ENERGY

U.S. SMART RASTERS AND WELL PERFORMANCE DATA TGS offers a cost effective way for oil and gas companies to quickly identify and evaluate new prospects across the country.

Nationwide well header/identification data for more than four million well records

Depth-registered (smartRASTER®) log images and standard images from more than six million logs

Detailed US production volumes for approximately 2.1 million wells Use of TGS Longbow™, a search and visualization tool

For more information, contact TGS at: Tel: +1 713 860 2100 Email: info@tgs.com

WWW.TGS.COM © 2013 TGS-NOPEC GEOPHYSICAL COMPANY ASA. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Vol. 62, No. 10

24

October 2013


Coming in September! Order your copy today!

—— PRE-SALE FORM ——

Studies in Geology 65

Application of Structural Methods to Rocky Mountain Hydrocarbon Exploration and Development

Edited by: Constance N. Knight, Jerome J. Cuzella, Leland D. Cress Co-published by The American Association of Petroleum Geologists The Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists With increasing industry emphasis on developing “unconventional” tight reservoirs and on enhancing recovery from existing fields, geologists are facing new challenges. Identifying fracture characteristics within petroleum systems is essential. Understanding the timing of tectonics and the formation of structures is important, as these factors strongly influence hydrocarbon generation, migration, entrapment, and preservation. The purpose in publishing this collection of key papers is to aid future works in addressing complex interrelationships between structural geology and hydrocarbon exploration and development. The first four chapters of this book focus on structural concepts and techniques. The second part of this book is a collection of Rocky Mountain fault and fracture studies. These well-documented studies are valuable reference materials for all petroleum geologists. I agree to pay the RMAG:

RMAG member—$159 X ___ (# ordering) = _____ + sales tax + shipping* non-member—$249 X ___ (# ordering) = ______ + sales tax + shipping* *shipping is based on UPS rates, therefore we will charge you based on your shipping zip code

Name as it appears on card: _______________________________________________________ Billing address on card: ___________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ Credit Card Number: _____________________________________________________________ Verification/security code: ____________________ Expiration Date: ______________________ Signature: _______________________________________________ Date: _________________ Email address for receipt: __________________________________________________________

More information is available on the RMAG website under Publications. Questions? Would you like to pay by check? Please call the RMAG office (303) 573-8621 or email staff@rmag.org OUTCROP

25

www.rmag.org


CALL FOR PAPERS! 2014 Rocky Mountain Section-AAPG Annual Meeting Abstract deadline Jan. 31, 2014 more detailsingo to Look forFor more details December... http://www.aapgrms.org/2014/conference/technical-program

Hosted by the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists Vol. 63, No. 1

26

January 2014


OUTCROP

27

www.rmag.org


RMAG/PTTC GEOSTEERING FORUM IMPACTING THE BOTTOM LINE

Presented by The Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists and PTTC TUESDAY, APRIL 29th, 2014

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS Deadline January 31, 2014 Maximize your visibility and work by actively participating in this PREMIER event! RMAG and PTTC are pleased to announce their 1st Geosteering Forum. The objectives are to examine advanced geosteering techniques and applications in horizontal wells among geoscientists and engineers. Topics include software analysis, downhole tools and techniques, and their usefulness in well planning, stratigraphic interpretation, staying in-zone, dealing with hazards, drilling efficiency, and maximizing productivity of horizontal wells. Topics include but are not limited to the following: • Geosteering techniques and applications • Case histories • Pros/cons of software packages • Downhole tools and techniques • Well planning/stratigraphic interpretation • Dealing with hazards and drilling efficiency • Analyzing geosteering data to understand and boost production • The relative merits of remote, on-location and in-house geosteering Target Audience: geoscientists, drilling engineers, and reservoir engineers

Feb 17th, 2014 Registration Opens $200 member, $250 nonmember

Marriott Denver City Center Downtown For EXHIBITOR, SPONSOR, and ABSTRACT info visit WWW.RMAG.ORG or contact the RMAG office staff@rmag.org 303-573-8621

Vol. 63, No. 1

28

January 2014


WELLSITE GEOSCIENCE SERVICES

Outcrop Deadlines

for the Outcrop advertising is the 1st of the month, the deadline for other content is the 5th of the month.

When time is money, Wellsite Geoscience is money well spent.

Whether you’re exploring a basin, producing a well or completing a shale play, time is money. That’s why Weatherford Laboratories brings a suite of formation evaluation technologies right to the wellsite. Utilizing mud gas and cuttings, these technologies provide detailed data on gas composition, organic richness, mineralogy and chemostratigraphy in near real time. As a result,operators now have an invaluable tool to assist with sweet spot identification, wellbore positioning, completion design and hydraulic fracturing. We call it Science At the Wellsite. You’ll call it money well spent.

SCIENCE AT THE WELLSITE™ Formation Evaluation ┃Well Construction ┃Completion ┃Production www.weatherfordlabs.com

©2013 Weatherford. All rights reserved

Neil H. Whitehead, III Consulting Geologist PhD

CPG-AIPG

PG WY

Rocky Mountain Basins Wellsite to Petroleum Systems ArcGIS 303-679-8573

fax 303-679-8574

31634 Black Widow Way

Conifer, CO

neil3@q.com 80433-9610

1 and 2 man Mudlogging Gas Referencing™ Geosteering

Summit Mudlogging Services Mike Barber

Manager Serving the Rocky Mountain Region

230 Airport Rd. Unit D Heber City, Utah 84032

Ph (435)657-0586 Cell (435)640-1382 email: mbarber@summitmudlog.com www.summitmudlog.com

OUTCROP

29

www.rmag.org


American Association of Petroleum Geologists

Rocky Mountain Section Annual Meeting Denver Convention Center, Denver, CO July 20-22, 2014

Earn recognition and maximize your visibility by submitting an abstract to the Rocky Mountain Section AAPG Annual Meeting: CRACKING THE SOURCE. The meeting will be held at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, CO. Abstracts will be accepted for posters and oral presentations from a wide variety of topics, with a focus on the Rocky Mountain region: 

Source Rocks and Petroleum Systems : Have we deciphered the codes?

Technology : Paradigm shifts

Exploration/Exploitation : Looking back; Looking ahead

Legendary Playmakers of the Rockies : A hotbed of notable people

Structure and Tectonics : Nothing less than world-class

Sedimentary Geology : Where the world comes to study

Special Session for Students, Interns, and Young Professionals

www.aapgrms/2014/ conference/technical-program

Vol. 63, No. 1

30

January 2014


R

WOLFCAMP & BONE SPRING PROJECT Unlocking the Potential of the Permian Delaware Basin Canadian Discovery Ltd. and partners are proposing a fully-integrated reservoir characterization study in the Delaware Basin of West Texas that will include: » » » »

Logs Since 1971

L OG S G S LO LOGS

Geology Subsurface pressure setting Geochemistry Reservoir characteristics

Contact Cheryl Wright to Pre-Subscribe* cwright@canadiandiscovery.com | 403.269.3644 www.canadiandiscovery.com

OVER 6 MILLION WELL LOGS

Canadian Discovery Ltd.

*Six primary sponsors are required to proceed with study.

FROM THE ARCTIC TO THE GULF OF MEXICO In Partnership with:

GDGC

P LFCAM

WO

GRAHAM DAVIES

GEOLOGICAL

RKS EE FO

CONSULTANTS LTD.

THR

CAR

DIU

M

EAGLEFORD Y

LBAN NEW A

MONTNEY F AY ETT EVI LLE

BAKKEN ILLE

SV HAYNE

WOODFORD

RIVER N R HO DUVERN

AY

BARNETT N IOBRARA UTICA

www.mjlogs.com 1-800-310-6451

Check it out!

GSW has an opensource site for references at http:// www.opengeosci.org/ that you might find useful. It is formatted for geoscientists. References link back to the original sources, such as AAPG Bulletins, but a nice way to search by author, formation name, or other parameters and bring up abstracts and figures.

»

OUTCROP

31

www.rmag.org


RMAG/PTTC GEOSTEERING FORUM Impacting the Bottom Line

Presented by RMAG and PTTC, www.rmag.org Tuesday, April 29th, 2014 – Marriott Denver City Center Downtown

Speaker Commitment Form We invite you to submit a presentation proposal for the 2014 GEOSTEERING FORUM: IMPACTING THE BOTTOM LINE. We appreciate your interest in participating in this very special event! Oral presentation times are 30 minutes with a recommended ~10 minutes of this for questions. We request the presentation be in PowerPoint. You'll have an engaged audience for this open forum. The objectives of the Forum are to examine advanced geosteering techniques and applications in horizontal wells for geoscientists and engineers. Topics may include but are not limited to the following:        

Geosteering techniques and applications Case histories Pros/cons of software packages Downhole tools and techniques Well planning/stratigraphic interpretation Dealing with hazards and drilling efficiency Geosteering data analysis techniques to understand and boost production The relative merits of remote, on-location and in-house geosteering

Please keep in mind that a significant amount of information can be communicated in 20 minutes without providing key proprietary details - there are many ways to frame a presentation without impacting your firm's technical edge. By submitting an abstract, you commit that you:  Have corporate permission to present the talk  Will give the presentation on April 29th, or will arrange a substitute speaker. Please complete and return the attached form by Friday January 31st, 2014, to your Geosteering Forum Committee contact or to: Laura Mauro Johnson

ljohnson@newfield.com

303-383-4104

Timetable Commitment form due: Friday, January 31st, 2014 Notification of acceptance: After Wednesday, February 5th, 2014 Following acceptance of your proposed presentation, we'll provide details on content and timing of your expanded abstract, speaker bios, and attendance information.

Vol. 63, No. 1

32

January 2014


2014 Geosteering Forum - Speaker Commitment Form Tuesday April 29th, 2014 – Marriott Denver City Center Downtown

1. Author(s) and company affiliation(s) (please indicate primary speaker '*')

2. Primary Speaker Information Email: Phones: w 3. Presentation Title

c

fax

4. Study Location (Basin/Trend/Field, State, County) 5. Brief abstract (purpose/scope, methods, examples, conclusions.): ~250 words

6. Has the presentation or a variant been given or published before? If so - when and where?

7. Can this abstract be published in industry magazine articles promoting the Forum, and your full abstract in the Forum Book? Yes No The following are mandatory for your presentation to be considered: 8. Must have corporate approval, from all needed levels, to submit and present 9. Commit to give the presentation on April 29th, or arrange a substitute speaker Timetable Commitment form due: Notification of acceptance:

Friday, January 31st, 2014 After Wednesday, February 5th, 2014

Please email completed form to Laura Mauro Johnson – ljohnson@newfield.com Questions? Please email or call Laura at (303) 383-4104. OUTCROP

33

www.rmag.org


RMAG ♦♦ DAPL

GeoLand Ski Day 2014

**Ski Downhill - Cross Country – Snowboard** COPPER MOUNTAIN RESORT Friday, March 7, 2014 7:30 am 12:30 pm TBA 3-5:30 pm 7:00 p.m.

Schedule of Events

Buses Depart from Heritage Square in Golden: Coffee/donuts Lunch on your own; Re-group opportunity Solitude Station Mid-mountain Lodge, American Eagle Lift Nastar Race and other events (details provided on bus) Après Ski Party: Kokopelli Trail Room/Jills Deck: Beer/Wine/Dinner Center Village Area (Base of American Flyer Lift) Arrive back to Heritage Square

For Sponsorship Opportunities or Additional Information, Please Call:

RMAG Chairs ♦♦ Chris Gough ♦♦ 303-893-9020 ♦♦ Larry Bennett 720-536-2901 DAPL Chair ♦♦ Patsy Botts 303-925-0696 (x120) DAPL at 303-446-2253, fax 303-595-9701 ♦♦ RMAG at 303-573-8621

REGISTRATION FORM (PLEASE REGISTER EARLY!)

Name: _________________________________________________________________ Company: _________________________________________________________________ Address: _________________________________________________________________ Phone: _________________________________________________________________ E-mail Address: ______________________________________________________________ Please Reserve:

Downhill Lift Tickets, Bus Ride and Apres Ski Party Downhill Lift Tickets and Apres Ski Party (No bus) Bus Ride and Party Only Apres Ski Party Only

# _____ (X $135) = # _____ (x $110) = # _____ (x $ 85) = # _____ (x $ 60) = Total Enclosed

$___________ $___________ $___________ $___________ $___________

Deadline for reservations is Monday, March 3, 2014 No cancellations after Friday, February 28, 2014

Make checks payable & mail to: RMAG/DAPL Ski Day, 535 16th Street, Suite 850, Denver, CO 80202 OR GO ON LINE at www.RMAG.org (click on “ski button”)

Vol. 63, No. 1

34

January 2014


OUTCROP

35

www.rmag.org


We want you back! We need you! The RMAG is facing a serious membership dilemma. During 2013, over 700 RMAG memberships have lapsed.

Vol. 63, No. 1

Every RMAG member is being requested to keep his/her online membership profile information up to date.

were very concerned that their memberships had lapsed. Every RMAG member is being requested to keep his/ her online membership profile information up to date. We need your help to resolve this problem. If (after reading the profile article of this issue) you require assistance using the online RMAG website and database, please contact the RMAG office.

»

T h e r e c e n t l y c r e a te d membership committee, the RMAG board of directors, and the RMAG office staff are working to resolve membership issues. We need your help. Recently Debra Higley, Dudley Bolyard, Matt Silverman, and Connie Knight contacted some of the “lapsed” members by phone and by email. Of the members contacted, most

36

January 2014


Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists, RMAG 910 16th Street Mall, Suite 1214, Denver, CO 80202 (303) 573-8621 phone (303) 628-0546 fax www.rmag.org staff@rmag.org

2014 RMAG Dues Renewal 2014 RMAG Dues Renewal

Name:____________________________________________________________________________________ Last

First

Please select one: No change in contact information Please update my contact information:

Address: __________________________________________________________________________________ City: ___________________________________ State: ______________ Zip Code: _____________________ Email address: _____________________________________________________________________________ 2014 Dues:

$41.00 (December 1, 2013 - November 30, 2014)

Other Optional Contributions: RMAG Contribution:

$_________

RMAG Foundation General Fund Contribution:

$_________

Total Contribution Payment: All contributions are tax deductible under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS.

$_________

(which supports the calendar of 2014 of RMAG events, including short courses, symposia, social events, monthly luncheons, and more)

(which helps support the following: Norman H. Foster Scholarship, University of Colorado (Bolyard) Scholarship, Colorado School of Mines (CSM) Scholarship, Colorado State University (CSU) Scholarship, Veterans Memorial Scholarship, Stone/Hollberg Graduate Scholarship in Structural Geology, Philip J. McKenna Scholarship, Babcock Scholarship)

Please return this form with payment: Payments may be made by check (payable to RMAG) or credit card (please either fill out the enclosed credit card authorization form or go to www.rmag.org to pay online). Easy steps to update your membership online: 1. Go to RMAG website at www.rmag.org 2. Click on MEMBERSHIP 3. Under MEMBERSHIP, click on Member Log In 4. Under the Member Login box, click where it says “Forgot your information? Click here” 5. Enter your current email address 6. You will then receive an email with your login information If this is unsuccessful, please contact the RMAG office at (303) 573-8621 or by email at staff@rmag.org for further assistance.

PLEASE NOTE OUR NEW SUITE NUMBER – 910 16TH STREET MALL, SUITE 1214, DENVER, CO 80202 OUTCROP

37

www.rmag.org


PetroFecta® from Fluid Inclusion Technologies is a unique approach combining XRF (PDQ-XRF ®), Trapped Fluid Analysis (FIS ®), and High Resolution Photography (RockEye ®) of the entire wellbore from well cuttings or core samples of any age. All analyses are conducted on the same 1 gram sample (up to 575 samples per well) with an analytical cycle of four days. Data provided on a DVD with previewer software. Information about PetroFecta ® and the umbrella of FIT services, call 918.461.8984 or visit www.fittulsa.com

FIT_UnconvUmbrella_Outcrop.indd 1

Vol. 63, No. 1

3/19/13 1:24 PM

38

January 2014


Authors and Editors Needed: RMAG Oil & Gas Fields of Colorado! RMAG is working toward the publication of a guidebook dedicated to short field studies of a set of selected oil and gas fields in Colorado. In large part the format will be similar to earlier publications of this type: a several page article that will include a one page summary with a small set of maps and cross-sections adequate to give the reader a lot of information in a short amount of time. The RMAG committee working on this publication has selected 85 fields for review. In addition, we expect to have extended discussion around several large “resource play” areas such as the Piceance Basin or the Greater Wattenberg complex including the recent horizontal Niobrara play. The committee is currently looking for authors to do field studies and to put together material for publication. Each author may contribute one or multiple field studies. We will also need a group of editors for both technical and copy (grammatical and graphical) review. Please volunteer! Committee contacts below: Dean DuBois, Committee Chair 720-876-5366 dean.dubois@encana.com James Milne 303-894-2100 x5117 james.milne@state.co.us James Rogers 303-832-2328 jim_rogers1@comcast.net OUTCROP

Quality Mudlogging Geologic Interpretation Wellsite Geology | Geo-Steering | Coring Supervision Serving the Williston Basin and Rocky Mountain Region

Horizontal Bakken, Mission Canyon, Red River, Dupero, Three Forks and Ratcliff formations Joseph H. Large President

www.rpmconsultinginc.com 1600 Broadway, Suite 1510, Denver, CO 80202 (Office) 303 595 7625 | (Fax) 303 595 7628

DONOVAN BROTHERS INCORPORATED Wellsite Drilling Engineering • Well Plans • Geomechanics Formation Evaluation • Optimize Drilling Using Logs

Bill Donovan

Geologist • Petroleum Engineer • PE

780 E. Phillips Dr. S. • Littleton, CO 80122 (720) 351-7470 (voice) • (303) 794-7470 (message) donovan@petroleum-eng.com www.petroleum-eng.com

Steve Cumella 720-979-0718 steve.cumella@endeavourcorp.com

Tom Feldkamp 303-228-4146 tfeldkamp@NobleEnergyInc.com

Marshall Deacon 303-228-4215 mdeacon@nobleenergyinc.com

Chris Martin 720-440-6134 CMartin@bonanzacrk.com

39

www.rmag.org


New Members

Welcome to new RmaG members... nathan anderson is an Account Manager for

chris Johnson works for Cimarex Energy Co.

Layne Christensen Company.

Jennifer Jones works for Baker Hughes.

Roy Burlingame works for Burlingame

David Katz works for Whiting.

Consulting LLC.

Joshn Kirschner lives in Oklahoma City, OK.

Lisa campbell lives in Boulder, Colorado.

felicia Kruger is a student at Metropolitan

ashley castaldo works for Schlumberger.

State University of Denver.

Paul clark lives in Loveland, Colorado.

marina Lee lives in Boulder, Colorado.

sam coalson is a Geotech at Vecta Oil & Gas.

Geoffrey mcmillan works for Paramount

Jed flint works for WPX Energy.

Resources.

mike h lives in Golden, Colorado.

John mohr is a student member.

Dawn Jenny works for the Idaho National

James Rawson is a Senior Geologist at

Denbury Resources, Inc.

Laboratory.

Ken Roberts lives in Highlands Ranch,

Colorado.

Connect with RMAG Online!

chuck samra lives in Evergreen, Colorado. christine siddoway is a Professor at Colorado

College.

You can now connect to the RMAG on Linkedin, Twitter, and Facebook.

hadi soetrisno is a GeoAnalyst Advisor at

Pioneer Natural Resources.

mark ver hoeve works at Cimarex Energy Co. Gary Warren works as an Account Manager at

Halliburton.

maggie West works at Baker Hughes. Rob Weyman is a Senior Geologist at Denbury

Resources, Inc.

Barbara Wickman works for Wickman

Consulting, LLC.

CONNECT WITH US ON LINKEDIN!

Kristine Zellman is a student at Colorado

School of Mines. Âť

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK! FOLLOW US ON TWITTER!

Vol. 63, No. 1

40

January 2014


OUTCROP OUTCROP

41 41

www.rmag.org www.rmag.org


In the Pipeline January 8, 2014 RMAG Luncheon. Speakers Pete Stark and Steve Trammel. “The Unconventional Oil & Gas Revolution: Another Look Under the Hood.” January 10, 2014 DIPS Luncheon. Speaker John Gustavson.” International Market Forecast for LNG.” January 10, 2014 PTTC Course. Instructor Talib Syed. “Wellbore Integrity Throughout Its Life Cycle.” CSM, Golden, CO. January 14, 2014 D W L S L u n c h e o n . S p e a ke r Alan Byrnes.”Evolution of Porosity, Permeability, and Hydrocarbon Saturation in Low-Permeability Rocks.”

The dq1000 ® Quadrapole Mass Spectrometer The dq1000 ® is a portable quadrapole mass analyzer used on drilling wells that analyzes a range of petroleum species and other organic and inorganic compounds. The dq1000 ® delineates petroleum type, water saturation, fluid contacts and seals to a much greater extent than with conventional instrumentation.

Analysis

Applications

/iV V> Ê-«iVÃ

January 21-22, 2014 P T T C C o u r s e . “ C a r b o n a te Depositional Systems and Seismic Sequence Stratigraphy,” CSM, Golden, CO.

UÊÊ £ £äÊ«iÌÀ iÕ ÊëiV iÃÆÊÃÌ> `>À`Ê gas ratios

UÊ*>ÞÊ`i i>Ì ÆÊyÕ `ÊV Ì>VÌÃ

UÊ i à Ã\ÊÓÈÊÝÊÇ°xÊÝÊ£xÊ V iÃ

UÊÊ / 8ÊV « Õ `ÃÊ> `Ê À}> VÊ>V `Ã

UÊ*iÌÀ iÕ ÊÌÞ«iÊ> `ʵÕ> ÌÞ

UÊ7i } Ì\Êx£Ê LÃÊ­« ÀÌ>L i®

UÊÊ À}> VÃÊ V Õ` }Ê Ó]Ê À]Ê"Ó]Ê Ó"]Ê

"Ó]Ê i]Ê> `Ê Ó

UÊ* À Ã ÌÞ]Ê«iÀ i>L ÌÞ

UÊÊ* ÜiÀ\Ênx ÓÈ{Ê6 Ê­Î°ä £°xÊ> «®]Ê{Ç ÈÎÊ âÊ ­ ÌiÀ >Ì > ®

January 28, 2014 RMS-SEPM Luncheon. Speaker Brad Sageman.

UÊÊ À >Ì Ê}>ÃÊÛðÊ`À }Ê Õ`Ê> `Ê additives

february 5, 2014 RMAG Luncheon. Speaker John Curtis. “Ordovician-Sourced Oils from the Williston Basin.”»

UÊ i«Ì L>Ãi`Ê> `ÊÌ i L>Ãi`Ê`>Ì>

January 14, 2014 Desk and Derrick Luncheon. For reservations, please contact RSVP@ deskandderrick.org.

UÊÊ-Õ vÕÀÊLi>À }ÊV « Õ `ÃÊ V Õ` }Ê -"Ó]Ê "-]Ê> `Ê -Ó

UÊ ÌÊ}i iÀ>Ìi`Ê}>à UÊÊ äÊÃiV `ÊVÞV iÊÌ iÆÊ£äÊ««LÊÃi Ã Ì Û ÌÞ

UÊÊ / 8Ê > ÃÊ­«À Ý ÌÞÊÌ Ê«>Þ®Ê> `Ê-Ü UÊ «>ÀÌ i Ì> â>Ì UÊ-i> Ã]ÊvÀ>VÌÕÀiÃÊ> `Êv>Õ Ìà UÊ-ÜiiÌÊë ÌÃÊ ÊÕ V Ûi Ì > à UÊÊ*À>VÌ V> Ê`>Ì>ÊÌ Ê «À ÛiÊÜi Ê completions UÊÊ,i`ÕV }Ê`À }ÊV ÃÌÊÜ Ì ÊL ÌÊ}>ÃÊ monitoring

UÊ ÊÃ>Ìi ÌiÊ> `Ê ÌiÀ iÌÊi >L i` UÊÊ-i à ÀÃ\Ê i«Ì ]Ê ÀVÕ >Ì ]Ê> `Ê*Õ «Ê-ÌÀ ià UÊÊ ` ÕÃÌ>L iÊVÞV iÊÌ i\Ê£xÃÊ ÊÎÈäÃÊ­£ÓäÃÊ > ® UÊÊ > Þà Ã\Ê Õ> Ê­` vviÀi Ì > ®Ê ÀÊ- } iÊ* ÀÌÊ >ÃÊ-ÌÀi> UÊÊ ÌiÀv>ViÊv ÀÊ Ã ÌiV ½ÃÊ Ã ÌÕLiÊ>ÕÌ >`iÀ

Fluid Inclusion Technologies

ÓÓ£ÇÊ °Ê9i Ü `Ê Ûi°ÊUÊ À i Ê ÀÀ Ü]Ê" ÊÇ{ä£ÓÊ1- £n {È£ n n{ÊUÊwÌJwÌÌÕ Ã>°V

If you have any events that you would like to post in this column, please submit via email to Holly Sell at holly.sell@yahoo.com or to the RMAG office at rmagdenver@ aol.com for consideration. Vol. 63, No. 1

www.fittulsa.com

42

January 2014


o t t ip r c s u n a M a Submit viewed , online, peer-re ly er rt a u q a is Geologist eologists The Mountain Association of G in ta n ou M ky ountain by the Roc itors for The M d E journal published . 0 0 6 2 t ou geology culation is ab on or relate to s since 1964. Cir cu fo at th ts p me manuscri Geologist welco environs. ntain region and ou , please M ky oc R . .S ntain Geologist ou of the U M e Th r fo t p manuscri d under When writing a le G u id e ” fo u n ty S r o th u “A te: www. w n lo a d a b le the RMAG websi re fe r to th e d o on ” st gi lo eo G g to this The Mountain uscript accordin “Publications – an m r u yo te ri w d editors. por tant to both authors an rmag.orgg It is im r fo e m ti on si quiries to itigate revi ; please send in style guide to m 3 1 0 2 in ed at d ublished is being up refer to issues p The style guide or om l.c ao r@ ditor at jtpet the Executive E ise. hen questions ar in 2012-2013 w te (1964the RMAG websi Back issues on e bl la ai av is d index .org). See A bibliography an age, www.rmag p eb w st gi lo eo Geologist, Mountain G to The Mountain 2009, see The ex d In d an hy ly 2011, e Bibliograp tain Geologist, Ju n also, “Cumulativ ou M e Th , op h Michele Bis 1999-2010” by Mountain 9-80 . v. 48, no. 3, p. 5 ble on DVD (The la ai av e ar al rn the jou Mountain Back issues of 22, no. 4; The v. , 5 8 9 1 t p ce rough the -2005 ex o. 4) available th Geologist 1964 n , 2 2 v. , 5 8 9 1 te. Some -2010 with the RMAG websi Geologist 2006 on e lin on or , 1 2 3-573-86 RMAG office for e th om fr RMAG office, 30 le b la avai copies are also issues in hard $15.

»

OUTCROP

43

www.rmag.org


Why can Weatherford deliver more real time data at the wellsite than any other mudlogging company?

Tim has cabin fever.

EXCELLENCE FROM THE GROUND UP

TM

Our Global Operations Manager for Surface Logging Systems, Tim, is all smiles these days. That’s because he and his team recently designed a new state-of-the-art mudlogging cabin. The spacious interior makes room for more laboratory services at the wellsite. Now exploration companies have access to more data in real time, so they can make better decisions faster. Combined with Weatherford’s patented GC-TRACER™, IsoTube® AutoLoader™ and other Isotech technologies, it’s one more way Weatherford Mudlogging is committed to Excellence from the Ground Up.

SURFACE LOGGING SYSTEMS www.weatherford.com/surfacelogging mudlogging.services@weatherford.com

Vol. 63, No. 1

44

January 2014


Advertisers Index AAPG .......................................... 2, 27

Geosteering .................................. 8

Quantum Water Consulting..............13

Bowler Petrophysics ........................8

Gustavson, John B........................ 9

RBC Wealth Management ...............12

Breckenridge Expl. Inc. ................ 21

Horizontal Solutions Intl.......... 6, 9

RPM Geologic, LLC ........................... 38

Canadian Discovery ...................... 31

Karo, James C. ........................... 17

Stoner Engineering, LLC................... 35

Columbine Logging ....................... 15

Kestrel Geoscience, LLC ........... 17

Summit Mudlogging Services .......... 29

Decollement Consulting, Inc ....... 36

Kluth and Associates ................. 29

TGS ..................................................... 24

The Discovery Group, Inc. ............. 29

MJ Systems ................................ 31

Weatherford Laboratories ..... 4, 29, 44

Dolan Integration Group ............... 10

Mazzullo Energy Corp. ................. 6

Weber Law Firm, LLC ........................ 31

Donovan Brothers Inc. .................. 38

Noble Energy .............................. 11

Whitehead, Neil H. ............................ 29

Fluid Inclusion Technologies .38, 42

January 2014 anuary MONDAY

SUNDAY

1

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

1 NEW YEARS 2 DAY

FRIDAY

3

SATURDAY

4

RMAG OFFICE CLOSED

5

6

7

8

RMAG Luncheon: Pete Stark & Steve Trammel

9

10

DIPS Luncheon

11

PTTC Course

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

30

31

DWLS Luncheon Desk & Derrick Luncheon

PTTC Course

26

27

28

29

RMS-SEPM Luncheon

OUTCROP

45

www.rmag.org


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.